Georgia · Religious & Spiritual

Abastumani Escape: Sapara, Zarzma & Observatory Tour

14 Hours Round trip from Pickup service provided in Tbilisi. Moderate pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Visit Sapara Monastery and admire its carvings and frescoes
  • 02 Explore Zarzma Monastery and its underground burial vault
  • 03 See Chulevi Monastery and take a short hike to the waterfall
  • 04 Discover the Abastumani Astrophysical Observatory
  • 05 Experience the mountain setting of Abastumani resort
  • 06 Travel privately from Tbilisi with guide and transport included

Discover the cultural and natural highlights of Abastumani on this private full-day journey from Tbilisi. Visit the historic Sapara Monastery, Zarzma Monastery, and Chulevi Monastery, where medieval architecture, frescoes, and peaceful mountain surroundings come together in a memorable route through southern Georgia.

The experience also includes time at the Abastumani Astrophysical Observatory and the Abastumani resort, known for its forested setting and mineral-rich thermal springs. Ideal for travellers interested in religious heritage, scenic landscapes, and relaxing spa traditions, this tour offers a varied day out with private transport, a guide, and entrance tickets included.

Visit the historic Sapara Monastery, Zarzma Monastery, and Chulevi Monastery, where medieval architecture, frescoes, and peaceful mountain surroundings come together in a memorable route through southern Georgia.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 14 Hours
Tour type Private
Activity level Moderate
Accommodation Not included
Transport Included
Wheelchair access Not applicable
City Tbilisi
Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Sapara Monastery

Guests will visit Sapara Monastery from 9th century with beautiful carvings and frescoes, located a green forested canyon.

Zarzma Monastery

Guests will visit Zarzma Monastery of Transfiguration built in the 8th century with unique domed church and a belfry, one of the largest in Georgia. The monastery has an underground burial vault situated beneath the church which contains the remains of monks.

Chulevi monastery

Guests will visit Chulevi monastery of St. George that was home to a monastic community already in the 11th century, but the current edifice was constructed in the 14th century. Guests can enjoy a small waterfall of the monastery (5-minute hike is needed to reach the waterfall).

Abastumani Astrophysical Observatory

Guests will visit Georgian National Astrophysical Observatory that was founded in 1932 by Academician Evgeni Kharadze on Mount Kanobili, near the Abastumani resort at the altitude between 1650 and 1700 m above sea level. Its distance from air pollution and artificial sky illumination, together with excellent natural conditions (a hilly landscape covered with coniferous forest) makes this location one of the best for observatories at the same altitude range. The weather is stable, without harsh and sudden changes. The observatory carries out wide-profile research spanning different fields of astronomy and astrophysics and investigations of the upper layers of Earth's atmosphere.

Abastumani Resort

Guest will visit Abastumani which is a climatic resort located on the southern slopes of the Meskheti Range (Lesser Caucasus). Abastumani possesses a moderately dry mountainous climate, with relative humidity reaching 50% only in summer. Average annual temperature is 6.4 to 6.5 °C (44 to 44 °F) in January and 17.2 °C (63 °F) in July. Abastumani's three hyperthermic springs (39–48.5 °C) are little mineralized, rich in sulfate-sodium chloride waters. They have long been used in the treatment of tuberculosis. 

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Pickup service provided in Tbilisi. 1 city · 14 Hours

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Private transportation with A/C
  • Private English speaking guide
  • All entrance tickets
  • WiFi on board
  • Bottled water

What's Not Included

  • Lunch

Know before you go

  • Standard Tour does not include lunch, but you will stop in a restaurant for lunch

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Pickup service provided in Tbilisi.
Tour start
Pickup service provided in Tbilisi.
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 14 hours finish where they began, in Pickup service provided in Tbilisi..

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